Not This

But This

Artificial Insemination
Documents from around 1322 A.D. state that an Arab
chief wanted to mate his mare to a stallion owned by his
rival.
Then in 1780, Spallanzani successfully bred two dogs
with the use of A.I. Leading to him being named the
inventor of artificial insemination.
The mass breeding of cattle however didnt come until
later, in 1931. By an A.I. Cooperation in Denmark.

Most Animals May be Inseminated

Cattle
Horses
Swine
Sheep
Goats
Poultry
Dogs

Panda Bears
Rhinos
Elephants
Killer Whales
Chimps
Llamas
Humans

The greatest advantage of Artificial Insemination is

that it increases the maximum use of superior sires.
Can breed more than one female per collection
The semen being used can be tested for disease and
genetic defects.
AI can be used when there are health or structure
problems in male or female.
Can use deceased sires

Timing is critical.
Technical knowledge is required.

There are several ways to collect semen.

Although the use of an artificial vagina is most common.
The artificial vagina is made of a firm cylindrical tube
that has a thin-walled rubber lining.
First the bull is allowed to mount a teaser cow or
mounting dummy
Then as the bull ejaculates , the penis is directed into the
artificial vagina, where the semen is captured.

Semen Collection

Methods of
Semen Collection
1.Mounting dummy.
(Boars, bulls, stallions, rams)
2. Digital manipulation
3. Electroejaculation

Semen Analysis
Sperm concentration- Total sperm is

determined by multiplying concentration (sperm

per ml) by ejaculate volume (ml).

Sperm motility - the percentage of sperm

that are progressively motile. A progressively

motile sperm swims briskly forward in a relatively
straight line.

Sperm morphology - the percentage of

sperm with normal shape and size is determined.

Normal Sperm

Boar Semen

Abnormal Sperm

Class

ml/ejaculate Sperm Conc No. Females

Bull

5-6

800-1,200

300-500

Ram

800-4,000

40-100

Boar

200-300

25-1,000

15-25

Stallion

50-150

30-800

8-12

Semen Evaluation Visual Appraisal

Color varies from yellowish to a light cream
Semen from most species is homogeneous in
consistency, the presence of flakes or clumps
usually indicates inflammation.

Hemacytometers
Can be used to count blood cells and
spermatozoa.
A hemacytometer has two chambers and
each chamber has a microscopic grid etched
on the glass surface

Extending (or diluting) the semen increases the number of

females that can be inseminated from one ejaculation.
There are several good semen extenders. Those made from
egg yolk or pasteurized, homogenized milk are two of the
most widely used. A good extender not only adds volume to
the ejaculate, but favors sperm survival and longevity.
Dilution rate depends on quality of sperm..
Antibiotics such as penicillin and streptomycin are added to
semen extenders to inhibit bacterial growth and reduce the
spread of diseases

Semen can be frozen and stored for indefinite

periods.
British scientists discovered that addition of
glycerol to the semen extender improved
resistance of sperm to freezing, in 1949.
Glycerol removes water from the sperm before
freezing. It also prevents the ice crystals from
damaging the sperm.

Dry ice and alcohol (-100 degrees F)

Fertility declines gradually
Liquid nitrogen (-320 degrees F)
No deterioration with age.

Swine Semen Bottles and Pipettes

Sperm Transport
sperm can travel to the oviducts in a few
minutes, which is too fast to be explained
by sperm motility.
sperm transport is largely a result of uterine
contractions, and mucosal texture
In most species, the uterus is hostile to
sperm.
sperm may remain in the uterus for several
days, but fertility rapidly declines.
Poultry are an exception, in chickens,
sperm can live 1-2 weeks.

Egg Structure

Fertilization

Fertilization
One sperm only will
fertilize the egg.
When that sperm cell
penetrates the zona
pellucida, it hardens to
prohibit additional sperm
from penetrating the egg